Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Durant OKC Thunder Thanksgiving special (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
In a crazy, conflict-filled NBA season, the OKC Thunder has a ton to be thankful for. Here are just a few examples.
Thanksgiving is supposed to be a special time of the year where families and friends gather to give thanks for all the happiness and positivity in their lives. Coming off a disappointing season, the OKC Thunder have a ton to be thankful for in 2018. After a slow start, they are right in the thick of things in the jam-packed Western Conference.
But what else should the OKC Thunder be thankful for? There are the obvious things like Russell Westbrook, Paul George, Sam Presti, the fan base etc. But for this season in particular, there are a few things the team should be extra thankful for. Three things stand out that make this year so much better. Before listing off the three things the OKC Thunder should be most thankful for, here are some honorable mentions.
The drama in Golden State is real. Even if the Warriors manage to win another title this year, it seems inevitable that Kevin Durant will leave following this season. Could he come back to the Thunder? Should the organization want him back? Stay tuned for a post on that. (Spoiler alert: The answer is, no duh.)
No more Carmelo Anthony. I got a lot of slack for my post on how Melo was the anti-Thunder player. I stand by that. Just ask the Rockets how their experiment with Melo went. My only regret is that it didn’t last longer. But you have to give credit to Houston for being proactive and pulling the plug before the season got too out of hand. Would the Thunder have done the same thing if Melo was on a minimum deal last season? Guess we’ll never find out.
Last honorable mention. I wanted to say no more Kyle Singler, but that seems mean on top of Melo. So I’ll say the jumbled Western Conference. Right now, Portland, Memphis, and the Clippers hold three of the top four spots in the West. Anyone think that’ll last? With preseason favorites like Houston and Utah struggling, there is a real shot the Thunder could finish with a top three seed.
Ok, without further adieu, here are the top three things the OKC Thunder should be thankful for this season.